He was covered in water. His pants soaked. It was really kind of humorous and she would’ve laughed if his chest didn’t look so sexy with water dripping down it.

“I would’ve undressed completely but you’re in the room.”

“I’ve seen you naked before Raynor, remember the bathing pool?”

“How can I forget,” he mumbled as he picked up his bar of cleanser and rubbed it over his chest.

“This is ridiculous. You can’t shower with pants on.” Before he could reply, she reached for the button on his slacks, ignoring the shocked expression on his face.

“What are…?”

Button undone, she quickly pulled his pants down. What sprang forward made her mouth water and it wasn’t just because the spray from the shower was dripping on her head and running down her face.

“Step out of them so I can wring them out and put them in the hamper.” Thank the stars her voice sounded normal because she wasn’t feeling very normal right now. She could feel his eyes on her, hear him breathing and she wondered if his heart was thundering in his chest the way hers was.

He slowly stepped out of the slacks. She picked them up and then walked over to the sink, leaving the stall door open. As she wrung the pants out their gazes once again met in the glass. He was still confused, but his eyes were swirling faster.

Stars, he was the sexiest being she’d ever seen in her life. Nervous, she stared down at the pants. She’d already wrung out every drop of water that she could, but still she twisted, unsure of what to do next.

In the shower, Raynor stood still, water cascading over him as he watched her. Done stalling, she took the wet pants over to the hamper chute and tossed them inside. Now what? With nothing to do with her hands she rubbed them through her hair. The nervous energy coursing through her was making it impossible for her to be still or quiet.

“Now you’re free to shower without getting your clothes wet,” she pointed out the obvious.

A jerk of his head was all she received as a response. He made no move to start showering. Naked they just stood there, both too nervous to make the first move. Lark knew her actions were confusing the hell out of him, especially after what he heard her say on his brethrens’ spacecraft that day.

“Do you need me to wash your back?” She didn’t wait on him to answer, she simply entered the stall and closed the door behind her, shutting them into the small space. Steam rose around them.

Instead of turning his back to her, he turned to face her. “Are you trying to destroy me,” his deep voice rumbled.

Lark shook her head.

“Then why are you doing this?”

“I only want to wash your…”

“Not just this, all of this. Why are you tempting me, reminding me of what I will never have?”

“It’s already yours. All you have to do is accept my apology and claim me.”

Falling in love with a prisoner was against the rules.

So why was Lark allowing herself to get close to Raynor? He was domineering, cocky and much too handsome for his own good. Though her mind found him unbearable, her body was ready to endure anything he could deliver. However, inside of him lived a darkness unlike anything she’d ever witnessed. If the rumors were true, that darkness would consume any and everyone in its path. Lark was going to try her best to stay out of his way.

They called him The Destroyer.

Raynor Batiste was many things: a monster, a killer, one of the most feared creatures in the galaxy. He was a beast whose name sent shudders through his enemies. However, a prisoner he was not. He’d only allowed himself to be captured so he could get close to his mate, Lark Valdese.

That task was proving harder than he’d anticipated. Lark is afraid of what lives inside of him, and she should be. Yet, when her planet comes under attack, the evil lurking within him may be the only thing that can save her and her people. He’s willing to protect her planet, but his aid comes at a price, a price only Lark can pay.

Will Beauty give in to the Beast in order to save her world? Or is he a greater threat than her enemies?